ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) holds significant promise for transforming healthcare delivery, including dentistry. However, the successful integration of AI into dental practice necessitates an understanding of dental professionals' perspectives, attitudes, and readiness to adopt AI technology. This study aimed to explore dental professionals' perceptions, attitudes, and practices regarding AI adoption in dentistry. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 256 dental professionals using an online questionnaire. Participants were assessed for familiarity with AI technology, perceived barriers to adoption, attitudes towards AI, current usage patterns, and factors influencing adoption decisions. Data are analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Inferential statistics, such as chi-square tests and regression analysis, were employed to examine associations between variables and identify predictors of AI adoption in dentistry. RESULTS: The study surveyed 256 dental professionals from various regions across India, primarily aged 30 to 50 years (mean age: 42.6), with a nearly equal gender split (male: 48.4%, female: 51.6%) and high educational attainment (67.8% with master's or doctoral degrees). Private practices were predominant (56.3%). The diagnostic algorithms and treatment planning software were well known (77.3% and 70.3% familiarity, respectively). Technical concerns (average score: 3.82 ± 0.68) were the main barriers to AI adoption, followed by financial considerations (average score: 3.45 ± 0.72), ethical and legal issues (average score: 3.21 ± 0.65), and organizational factors (average score: 3.67 ± 0.71). Despite these concerns, most participants had positive attitudes towards AI (70.3% agreed). Current usage varied, with diagnostic support and administrative tasks being the most common (44.5% and 82.8% usage, respectively). Perceived utility (average score: 4.12 ± 0.75) and ease of use (average score: 3.98 ± 0.69) significantly influenced adoption, as identified by regression analysis (perceived utility: ß = 0.342, p < 0.001; ease of use: ß = 0.267, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights into AI adoption in dentistry, highlighting the multifaceted nature of barriers and facilitators that influence dental professionals' adoption decisions. Strategies to promote AI adoption should address practical considerations, ethical concerns, and educational needs to facilitate the integration of AI technology into dental practices.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Dentists face a great deal of professional stress, in dental school and in practice. Their personal, as well as professional lives, get affected negatively by stress and poor mental health. This study aims to evaluate anxiety and depression among dentists of Abha in kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 246 registered dentists of Abha to assess anxiety and depression. Participants willing to participate, and completely filled questionnaire were included in study. Data regarding demography, work-related characters, lifestyle and self-reported physical and mental status were collected. Mental status was measured by using pre validated questionnaire Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20) by IBM. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, independent t test and one way ANOVA were used to analyze the data at the significant interval of p≤0.05. Results: Different levels of anxiety and depression were noticed both in males and female dentist. There was no statistical difference in the mean scores between males and females. There was a statistical difference of anxiety and depression scores noticed among dentist working in government institution, with five to ten years of experience. Habits of smoking were shown to significantly affect the risk of anxiety and depression scores. Conclusion: Dentist due to nature of the practice are prone for anxiety and clinical depression. Stress coping methods should be included in dental curriculum which would indirectly improve professional abilities and personal life.